Song for the Chapter: wish you were gay ~ Billie Eilish

Hermione's POV

"Malfoy, you absolute arse!" I hissed under my breath, trying desperately to restrain him. But it was no use. He flew at Ron across the classroom to shouts and gasps from the rest of the class and struck a blow to his face.

"Ron!" I shouted tearfully. I shoved Draco roughly and bent over my ex-boyfriend, lying dumbstruck on the floor with a bloody nose. He squinted up at me and Harry blearily and attempted to wipe away some of the blood with the back of his hand until Slughorn arrived.

"Everybody, stand back!" He commanded furiously, rolling up the sleeves of his robes. "Mr Malfoy, you stay here. I'll see you after the lesson's end." Draco frowned and stepped back, trying to catch my eye, but I felt sick. I couldn't believe what he'd done.

The way he'd so easily leapt in to defend me had warmed me slightly, but he'd given Ron a bloody nose and he was going to get himself in no end of trouble. Part of me didn't want Ron to be hurt. I wanted him to learn his lesson. But he didn't deserve all that. Did he?

Slughorn muttered several spells and Ron sat up in a daze, pointing an accusatory finger at Draco. The potions professor crouched down beside him and said soothingly, "Now, Mr Weasley, you must stay still and not get too worked --"

But before Slughorn could finish, Ron had scrambled to his feet and was charging Draco. Before he managed to shove him into the simmering cauldrons, Slughorn waved his wand in a frenzy and sent Draco and Ron shooting apart from one another, breathing heavily and shooting daggers at one another.

The bell rang as the class fell silent. Everybody was too stunned to move. Finally I swung my bag over my shoulders, shoved through Draco and Ron, and marched stubbornly out of the dungeons. And, eventually, the rest of the class followed - bar Ron and Draco.

I still felt sick.

"Hermione?" I flinched and turned around. Jesus, could that boy not leave me alone for one second?

"What is it, Harry?" I asked crossly, folding my arms over my chest as we walked. Harry shifted uncomfortably.

"I - um - I have to know," he muttered. "Is it true? Are you really going out with Malfoy?" 

I sighed exhaustedly and leaned against the wall, glaring at my friend. "No. If Ron's been --"

"Ron hasn't done anything!" Said Harry quickly, his eyes wide with fear. "I just wanted to...see for myself."

"No," I said again. "We're just...sort of...friends."

"And is it true that you had dinner?"

Harry looked anxious, almost hopeful. I just glared at him, turned sharply and walked away bitterly, slipping into the quiet confines of the dorm.

Minutes later, I heard a loud, shrill tapping on the window and eased myself out of bed, wondering what the hell was going on outside. To my surprise, I saw a white eagle owl with its talons against the glass, staring at me ominously.

Not wanting to have "decapitated by owl" on my gravestone, I quickly opened up the window and allowed the owl to drop a hastily-sealed envelope into my lap before hooting once and soaring back across the grounds.

Filled with curiosity, I locked the window and sat down on my bed, eagerly opening the envelope, addressed to me. Inside was a folded piece of parchment, on which was written one word in hasty, ink-black letters.

Dinner?

Author's Note: Hi! The support for this book is crazy! I wish I could individually thank everybody who has added this book to their reading list, but that would take way too much space! So, THANK YOU! Vote and comment everyone, new chapter coming soon :)